Calibrachoa plant named ‘KLECA10218’

ABSTRACT

A new  Calibrachoa  plant named ‘KLECA10218’ particularly distinguished by a semi-upright and mounding growth habit, and a compact plant shape, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Calibrachoa sp.

Variety denomination: ‘KLECA10218’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Calibrachoa, botanically known as Calibrachoa sp. and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLECA10218’. The new variety was the result of a controlled cross conducted in the Summer of 2007 in Stuttgart, Germany, between the female parent, proprietary Calibrachoa plant ‘KLECA06121’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,487), and the male parent, proprietary Calibrachoa plant ‘KLECA08178’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,060). A single plant selection was subsequently chosen for further evaluation and asexual propagation.

The new variety was first propagated in May 2008 in Stuttgart, Germany and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings and in-vitro propagation over more than forty generations. The present invention has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via vegetative cuttings.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety were applied for in Canada on Mar. 19, 2010. ‘KLECA10218’ has not been made publicly available or sold more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in a glass greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Semi-upright and mounding growth habit; and     -   2. Compact plant shape.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Calibrachoa plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows inflorescences and foliage of the plant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

The photograph was taken in May 2010 of a 5-month old Calibrachoa plant grown in a 10 centimeter pot in a glass greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany under normal horticultural practices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLECA10218’. The data which defines these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken in May 2010 of 5-month old plants grown in 10 centimeter pots in a glass greenhouse with a minimum pinch date of one week. Color readings were taken under natural light. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), Fifth Edition (2007).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Solanaceae.         -   Botanical.—Calibrachoa sp.         -   Common.—Calibrachoa Hybrid. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female.—The proprietary Calibrachoa plant ‘KLECA06121’,             (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,487).         -   Male.—The proprietary Calibrachoa plant ‘KLECA08178’, (U.S.             Plant Pat. No. 21,060). -   Growth:     -   -   Form.—Compact, mounding.         -   Habit.—Semi-upright.         -   Height (measured from the top of the soil).—9.0 cm.         -   Width (horizontal plant diameter).—13.0 cm.         -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—9 weeks after             potting.         -   Outdoor plant performance.—Continuously flowering.         -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—16 days.         -   Root description.—Moderate density and branching.         -   Root color.—RHS 155D. -   Stems:     -   -   Length of basal branches.—7.0 cm.         -   Internode length.—1.5 cm.         -   Diameter of branches (from midpoint).—6.0 cm to 8.0 cm.         -   Stem color.—RHS 144B.         -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth.         -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.         -   Pedicel.—Color: RHS 144B. Length: 4.0 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm.             Texture (both surfaces): Smooth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Size.—Length: 1.5 cm to 3.5 cm. Width: 0.4 cm to 1.2 cm.         -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Apex.—Broad acute.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Color (both immature and mature leaves).—Upper surface: RHS             137B. Lower surface: RHS 138B.         -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Petioles.—Absent. -   Flower bud:     -   -   Shape.—Irregular to oblong.         -   Size.—Length: 2.6 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Blooming habit.—Continuous flowering during summertime.         -   Inflorescence type.—Single flower, determinate             inflorescence.         -   Floret type.—Funnel-shaped, single flowers.         -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—6 days.         -   Fragrance.—Absent. -   Flowers:     -   -   Immature flower.—Diameter: Horizontal: 2.8 cm. Vertical: 2.3             cm.         -   Mature flower.—Diameter: Horizontal: 3.3 cm. Vertical: 2.5             cm.         -   Color (immature and mature flowers).—Upper surface: RHS 71A.             Lower surface: RHS 70D.         -   Corolla tube.—Color inside: RHS 6B. Color outside: RHS 3C.             Tube length: 1.7 cm. Texture (outside): Smooth.         -   Petals.—Apex: Obverse. Base: Open and fused into the tube.             Margin: Entire. Waviness of petals: Weak. Lobation: Weak.             Texture (both surfaces): Smooth.         -   Sepals.—Calyx (composition): Rosette, actinomorphic. Shape:             Lanceolate to elliptic. Apex: Acute. Base: Open and tube is             fused into the base. Margin: Entire. Length: 1.2 cm. Width:             0.2 cm. Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS             147B. Texture (both surfaces): Smooth. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Number: 5. Filament color: RHS 154A. Filament             length: 0.8 cm. Filament diameter: 0.1 cm. Pollen color: RHS             11A. Pollen quantity: Moderate.         -   Pistils.—Number: 1. Length: 0.4 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Stigma             color: RHS 149A. Style color: RHS 149A. -   Fruit and seed set: No fruit or seed set observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘KLECA10218’ differs from the female parent Calibrachoa plant ‘KLECA06121’, (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,487) in that ‘KLECA10218’ has good branching, whereas ‘KLECA06121’ has average branching.

‘KLECA10218’ differs from the male parent Calibrachoa plant ‘KLECA08178’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,060) in that ‘KLECA10218’ has a vigorous and compact growth habit and short internodes, whereas ‘KLECA08178’ has a vigorous growth habit and large internodes. In addition, ‘KLECA10218’ has red-purple colored flowers, whereas ‘KLECA08178’ has violet-colored flowers.

‘KLECA10218’ differs from the commercial cultivar ‘KLECA08170’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,061), in that ‘KLECA10218’ has a semi-upright growth habit, whereas ‘KLECA08170’ has a semi-trailing growth habit. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Calibrachoa plant named ‘KLECA10218’ as shown and described herein. 